AMUSEMENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20282, 15 December 1927, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

EMPIRE THEATRE. "The Kid' Brother ” is firmly established in favour, and the attendances at the ErhEiro Theatre where it is being screened, ave been consistently ■ large. As a comedy " The Kid Brother ” is in the foremost rank, so far as moving pictures are concerned. While the cCmcdy element prevails, there are a good many very nice little human touches about the story that make it additionally attractive. Harold Hickory, the kid brother, is extremely well presented by Harold Lloyd. Harold is regarded by his people as a weak shiftless mortal, and no good for anything. But Harold proves himself in the end to be every inch a man, and defeats a bully and marries the girl ho is devoted to, to say nothing of astonishing his father and brothers. There are some very exciting events in The Kid Bother,” notably on a derelict vessel where he encounters and vanquishes the strong man Sandoni, seizes a lot of stolen money, and proves himself to bo after all the best member of the Hickory family. “The Collegians” is the supporting picture, and is by no means without its attractive qualities. , OCTAGON THEATRE. Karl Dane and George K. Arthur are the mainstays of “ Rookies,” which is now to be seen at the Octagon Theatre. Dane’s character is that of Sergeant Diggs, a rather comical military man, who holdwhat are known in the vcnacular as “ rookies ” in contempt. Amongst these despised soldiers in the making is a little man by the name of Gregg Lee, the part being filled with conspicuous success by Arthur, who makes the bullying sergeant’s life a burden to him. Lee plays practical jokes upon his superior that place Diggs in a most humiliating position, which he naturally resents. One of these jokes is to plant a colony of ants in the garments of the sergeant, and the resulting development is amusing in the extreme. Though small, Lee is clover and ho_ beats Diggs at every turn, oven to the winning of the girl upon'whom both dote. The end of the story is intensely spectacular. “ Rookies ” is strongly supported by other pictures of interest. QUEEN’S THEATRE. A very good programme has been installed. at the Queen’s Theatre. First there is “ Drums of the Desert,” which is adapted from a book written by Zano Grey. Naturally some liberties have been taken with the story to make it fit in with screen requirements, but the book has boon adhered to as closely as possible. The pith of the story is that oil thieves attempt to disposes Navajo Indians of possessions that rightfully belong to them. Tho story is fraught with great interest, and there is not a little exciting matter introduced. “ Secret Orders ” is the supporting picture, which is melodramatic in character. Some might oven prefer, it to “ Drums of tho Desert.” EVERYBODY’S THEATRE. A novel by Harold Bell Wright supplies the leading picture at Everybody’s Theatre, the title of which is “The Winning of Barbara Worth.” Tho basis of the story is tho reclamation of vast tracts of waste land iu the western portion of America. The pioneers who set out on the venture meet with many trials and disappointments, but conquer all obstacles, and overcome stupendous difficulties, and in the end make a great success of the undertaking. The sinking of an ocean liner and incidents attending the catastrophe,, form the second picture which is “ Lost at Sea.” Many complications arise out of the loss of the vessel. PLAZA AND GRAND THEATRES. The screens of tho Plaza and the Grand Theatres are occupied by “ The Blue Eagle” and “Tho Wrong Mr Wright.” In the former George O’Brien plays the outstanding character very cleverly. Ho beads a fighting band iu the city, and plays a' great part in tho recent war, while he is engaged' with the naval forces. In tho second picture mentioned tho action of the play is chiefly confined to a corset factory. FANCY DRESS SOCIAL. A children’s plain and fancy dress social, promoted by the Orange Lodge, No. 12, was held on Tuesday evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Kensington. The social was tho final for tho year. The programme consisted of games, vocal and instrumental items, and concluded with a parade of children dressed in a variety of costumes. Bro. G. W. Bowler was chairman. He extended a hearty welcome to all, and also wished them the .season's greetings. Items were contributed by Mr A. Hudson, Mi- J. do Silva, Master D. Todd, Mr W. Cooper, and Miss Peggy Cooper. Piper A. Ferguson supplied the music for the step dancing. The fancy dross competitiofi was divided into three sections, and the wnners were:—Girls under 10 years, Shirley Wardrop 1, Thelma Robertson 2, Zoe Cochrane 3. Boys under 10 years, F. Young and M. Tyson (equal). Girls, 10-14, Agnes Kirkpatrick 1, Lily Sincock 2. Boys, 10-14, Duncan Todd 1, Jack Perrin 2, Allan Reid 3. Girls, over 14, M. Kirkpatrick 1, N. Perrin 2, R. Sincock T. The judges were: Boys, Bros. H. Christie and A. Devlin; girls, Misses G. Cockburn and M. M’Naugbt.